4.02.2013

Demetrius Newman

Mr Demetrius Newman #249320

Racine Correctional Inst.

900 Sturtevant, WI 53177-0900

"Held Forever In Limbo"

2/23/13

Dear Friends

My name isDemetrius Newman, and I am writing you in hopes of gaining your support/assistance in my efforts to move forward in my incarceration towards eventual freedom. I am currently serving my 21st year on a sentence of life for a conviction of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide While a Party to a Crime. Although I was not the person who actually took the victims life I take full responsibilty for my actions that contributed to the loss of an innocent life. Assuch I've used this time to change my life in a positive manner mentally and spiritually. Knowing that I can not go back and change what took place I am committed to live my life in a way that will not only repay my debt to society but add to it in a produc­tive way.

Before this incident I had never been imprisoned. At the time of my arrest I was 20 years old and illiterate, without the ability to read or write. However, through hard work and self-determination I not only learned, to read & write but I was able to first get my G.E.D. then go on to get my H.S.E.D I also took a brief correspondence course through University of Wisconsin-Platteville for Leadership and Mana­gement & Global Business.

I plan to continue my education upon my release. Since my incarceration I have participated in a number of programs that have/will benefited me in my present/future endeavors. Programs such as: "Restorative Justice Circle-Getting it Right, Challenges and Possibilities, Pre-Release program, Life coping Skills, Prison Fellowship Minis-teries. Parenting, S.M.A.K.T. Group.In 2001 While in an out of state prison I took part in a rescue effort that helped save a community from a flood. For my actions I received an award of recognition from the Mayor of Appleton, Minnesota, the Honorable R. Ronning.

In November of 2012 I saw the parole board for the fifth time and I was given my third 12 months deferrwhich means that I am scheduled to see the parole board again in November of 2013, thus the purpose of my letter to you. It is my hope & prayers that within the next year and a half I can develop a line of comm­unication with you that would encourage you to take interest in my cause and support my efforts to move toward freedom.

I would like more than anything , to go to a minimum security prison where I'll be allowed to work. I believe that through continued positive § productive efforts, earned trust and patience I would show my worthiness to reenter society. At the present I have no outside support to help me with this and so I appeal to your status as a public servant and to the compassion in you as someone who cares about the community and everyone in it, especially the voiceless and disenfranchised.

This blog is a companion to our Parole web page. Wisconsin has 2887 prisoners who are eligible for parole but are denied year after year. We are part of a campaign to see that these people get a second chance. They are all long past their parole dates. We want to spread the message loud and clear that people DO Change. Below are some of the stories and profiles of the many people stuck in a broken and wasteful system.